Treatment and punishment of young persons who have committed offences and for related purposes prescribed in the Youth Justice Act 1997.

Care and protection of children and for related purposes under the Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1997.

Adoption of children as per the Adoption Act 1988.

In Tasmania a ‘child’ is someone under the age of 18 years. Magistrates are able to make orders to ensure the safety and protection of children as well as making orders to deal appropriately with children who commit offences. A child remains a ward until their eighteenth birthday, unless they have been released earlier.